Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Tundra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Vehicle driven: 2000 Toyota Tundra: on July 11, 2015 I was traveling at about 70 MPH in the far left lane when the front driver side tire and wheel broke off the vehicle. The front side of the truck impacted the pavement, and the truck began swerving. I tried to stop the truck, but the brakes were not functioning. Consequently, I then had to use my strength to steer the truck to the shoulder and wait for the truck to lose momentum since the brakes were not functioning. I managed to steer the truck to the shoulder after about a mile of trying to control the vehicle and waiting for it to slow down. I suspect that the lower ball joint on this vehicle are defective and LED to the accident. Newer models of this vehicle have been investigated by NHTSA for issues regarding the lower ball joints.
Front lower ball joint recall or lack thereof. There is a current recall for Toyota tundras year 2002-2004 but does not include 2000-2001 that have lower ball joints of the same design. Mine failed and so have several others around the country. Many customers have reported that their respective dealerships will not cover the repairs due to a manufacturer failed lower ball joint. I have attached a photo of the result of what a failed ball joint looks like and when you combine that image with the hypothetical of traveling 65-70 MPH the damage can then escalate to catastrophic or even death. Not only for passengers but for others traveling the same road. When the ball joint failed I was luckily traveling 25-30 MPH to get on to the freeway, but it failed before I was at full highway speed. …
The frame of my truck is totally rusted through. It has a crack and is unsafe to drive. I recently tried to rotate my tires and the mechanic found a great deal of rust and debris in the wheel hubs. He broke lugnuts and studs trying to remove the rear tires. He refused to touch the front tires. Toyota will not accept any responsibility for this problem. The truck was under coated in 2012 as per recall. Toyota will not take the truck in as a trade because of the rust. Currently the truck is unsafe drive and even if I could drive it I am afraid to think what would happen if I got a flat and had to change the tire. I am the original owner. The truck has only 56,000 thousand miles on it. The engine has been well cared for.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. The vehicle has cooper discoverer radial lt tires. While driving 70 MPH, the contact heard a thumping sound from the rear driver's side tire. The vehicle fishtailed, spun around towards the right side of the road, and rolled over. The driver sustained facial fractures as well as neck and back injuries. A police report was filed. The investigating officer stated that the tire still had 30 lbs. Of pressure remaining; however, the tread was wrapped around the hub and caused the vehicle to fishtail. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The tire size and dot number were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were approximately 180,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tundra. While inspecting the vehicle, an independent mechanic diagnosed that the entire frame and rear passenger side wheel had extensive rust and corrosion. The contact was advised that they both should be replaced or the vehicle May fail an inspection. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer recall, but the manufacturer indicated that the statute expired. The manufacturer would not provide the recall remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 09V444000 (structure). The vehicle was also included in NHTSA campaign number: 01e041000 (trailer hitches/trailer wire harness converter). The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
In June 2010 my Tundra was repaired after being recalled for a severely rusted frame and spare tire housing. What signaled the problem was when my spare tire dropped from the mount and was dangling above the ground causing me to almost loose control on an off ramp. The first dealer inspected the vehicle and told me "the frame is so rusted I can put a screwdriver thru it". He then allowed me to drive home. On a second opinion, the truck was pulled off the road . When I picked up the truck following the repairs the spare was in truckbed and I had to ask for it to be installed. ( had they even looked at it?) )n 1/25/13 while pumping gas, I look behind the vehicle and see the spare tire on the ground! The plate that holds the tire was worn away. …
This truck has defects in the steeing,tires,brakes, airbags,and hadling.at 6244 miles,steer tires were at 6/32(12/32 new)coplained to deler they said normal tire wear,needs rotated! This front end slid, sqeeled,jumps around corners!two eng. Tom superitts&lee hammler from k.c. Corp. Says nothing wrong with truck!there boss steve eisbamrth will now buy me tires but won't admit the is a problem. This offer didn't happen untill I told them I was turing this in to NHTSA, then they wanted to keep me quiet. I am ready to turn this truck back to them because of there bad customer service and bad product. Bottom line on safety corners on wet pavement like on patches of ice when I was involved in accident, brakes vibrated, tires slid, and on impact rt. Bumper bent in to tire rt. Fender creased both air bags did not come out. This truck should go in for further testing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …
Using the spare tire on rear passenger side dunlop tg35 grandtrek 265 70 r16 the tire was like new. Tread completely separated from the tire. Gained control and pulled over to the side of the road. No tread...but remaining tire was still inflated...with steel belt showing. Did damage to inside fender well....fender....tore off mud flap and damaged black plastic fender well cover. I changed tire.
Due to rust, o2 sensors are bad, exuast system bad, left rear tire ball joint defective, emergency brakes defective, body frame has holes at left side, majority of frame is rusting. Per mechanics all this is stemming from the rust. Truck has low mileage, frame is crumbling in some places and is a danger to drive safely. Just went through inspection.exact date is unknown as to when this occurred.
Was driving at 65 MPH on the highway and my spare tire that is mounted beneath the truck fell off and fortunately bounced off the road instead of into oncoming traffic. I inspected the frame in the area of the tire mount and found it to be almost entirely corroded. There is similar corrosion on the frame in the vicinity of the rear axle, however it is not quite as bad.
Related recalls
Wheels
On certain 4x2 vehicles equipped with an alloy wheel tire upgrade (options wm4, wm8, zl1-zl4, dh4, or dh5) installed by the processing centers in jacksonville, florida or commerce, georgia, a label identifying the spare tire as a temporary use spare tire was not installed.
Remedy: Owners will be provided with a caution label and an insert for their owner's manual. Owner notification began July 15, 2002.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2000 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2000 Toyota Tundra, 3% of the model year's 1,011 complaints. The component named most often is temporary/emergency spare tire (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Tundra wheel & tire problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-129 (wheels, May 1, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Tundra wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 157,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to wheels & tires problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.